by Manasi Joshi
“Why did you kill him Dad?” said a shaken Kabir.
For some time, he kept mum. Then later, he invited his own death when he decided to tell everything to Ishani and Raghav. He disobeyed me. He had to die. I killed him myself. He deserved it. I felt good after he was dead. Those who disobey me have to be punished. Reema was upset though. She cried a lot. She told me she would go to police. I told her I would kill her too. She got scared and took a wise decision of agreeing to help me one last time. She brought Ishani here and fleed. I let her go.” Sudhir Basu replied.
Ishani listened to all of this with horror. She was shocked at how low could Mr Basu have stooped. She felt she was frozen with mental pain and didn’t know what to react. The man whom she had considered her mentor, her guide, was the man who intended to harm her. He was a sadistic murderer and an extreme egoist. He had been unnecessarily insecure about Ishani getting famous.
She thought he was the first one to be happy she was progressing. How wrong she was! Beneath the sweet demeanour was the ugly face of an evil man who had really terrible intentions. Ishani didn’t know how to react. How could she have been so blind? She looked at Kabir who walked towards his father. She understood how he felt. If she, Ishani could feel so betrayed, Kabir would be feeling much worse.
Kabir went to his father and in one swift move gave him a tight slap on his face.
“You don’t deserve to be called a father. I don’t care whether you are a schizophrenic or not. You are a loathsome human being is all I know. You shouldn’t be out lose, harming people around you. Go rot in jail. That’s where you belong.” His eyes were full of pain and anguish. “I don’t even know how I am going to face my mother and tell her all of this. Her very own husband whom she trusted for years together turns out to be such a cold hearted murder. I don’t know if she will be able to bear the truth.” He stormed out of the room without saying anything further. A policeman followed him on Inspector Pawar’s indication.
Sudhir Basu seemed to have woken up after the slap. He struggled in his chair, wriggling, trying to be free. He then gazed around and saw all of them huddled around him
“Ishani is alive? I imagined she would be dead by now because of the extreme Pyrophobia she has. ” He asked, coolly after he spotted Ishani.
Ishani walked up and went up to him. She spoke. “You know what? I feel sorry for you Mr. Basu. I feel sorry for you, because you lost your gem of a son forever. Your real side is revealed. Beneath the sophisticated and decent man you portray, lies an ugly man with a dark heart and dark intentions. You disguised yourself perfectly, but things didn’t turn out the way you expected, did they? The good always wins, Mr Basu. I pity you; you are a mentally ill man with lots of issues. Go sort them out in jail. Thank you for teaching me a lesson. Owe you for that. “She told him. Her voice was choked with emotion. She couldn’t believe she was saying these words to a man she had always idolized.
Mr Basu said nothing. He continued to glare at her, silently.
“Mr Sudhir Basu, CEO of C.T.I. You are under arrest.” Inspector Pawar said, handcuffing Sudhir Basu.
“No! I have done nothing wrong. I did the right thing.” protested Basu. “You can’t keep me in for long even if you tried. You don’t know me”
The police untied him from the chair and took him away. He began to laugh as they were taking him away, the sound of his laughter echoing as they walked.
Priya looked at Ishani and Raghav. “It’s over isn’t it?” she asked.
“Yes Pri. Looks like.” sighed Ishani.
Raghav hugged Ishani. “I am glad you are okay, buddy. You did a kickass job of saving Priya. I am proud of you.”
Ishani smiled.
ONE MONTH LATER.
Ishani and Priya were at their favourite dancing studio. With jazz pants and shoes, they were all set to rock their dance session. This time though, they had a third person with them. It was Natasha. They were three instead of two, since the last one month.
“Natasha you dance so well, wow!” said Priya
“I always told you I am good at everything.” Natasha said smugly.
Ishani smiled. She was happy they had found a new friend in Natasha.
Mr Sudhir Basu, was safely locked away in jail. There was enough evidence against him for him to be charged guilty. His mental condition was also being considered. Reema Pande, however, was still on the run and the police were on her trail.
C.T.I was now being run by Nakul who was proving to be an able CEO.
Ayaan was away in New Zealand, expanding his business there for the time being. He was going to return to India after two months. He emailed Ishani from time to time.
Ishani thought she could never thank Ayaan enough for coming at the right time that day, saving her and providing all the information that he had. She decided to dismiss Ayaan from her mind for the time being. She continued to dance. She danced till she could no longer think of anything and just heard the music.
As Ishani, Priya and Natasha walked out of the studio, Ishani saw Kabir waiting for her. “You look gorgeous. Even in these clothes. Come, let’s leave.” He said, flashing his dazzling smile at her.
Ishani laughed. “You look good yourself. Not bad” she smiled. Priya and Natasha giggled as they heard both of them.
Priya smiled at Ishani. “Go have fun. We will see you tomorrow.” Natasha winked at Ishani.
Ishani smiled back. At last, Ishani could smile her own genuine smile. She took a look at Priya who was chatting merrily with Natasha. Ishani’s heart bloomed with happiness as she watched them. Priya was safe and happy and reunited with her parents and that’s what mattered. As for Ishani, she still feared fire, but not as much.
Natasha was beginning to get over losing Sahil. She and Raghav had started to bond very well. Ishani and Natasha had started liking each other. It baffled Ishani as to how they were beginning to become such good friends. From foes to friends, thought Ishani, looking at her.
Ishani turned to look at Kabir who was watching her intently. He said nothing but quietly took her hand in his and led her to his car. They sat inside.
Ishani looked at him. She was glad he was recovering and healing from the mental trauma his father had caused him. He was finally doing what he loved. He was fully immersed in politics and had become even more popular after the media got to know about his father’s misdeeds. He was made a hero overnight, who stood against his own father because his father was wrong. People looked up to him as a strong futuristic youth leader. Ishani was sure he would win the next elections and serve the country.
Ishani was glad he was in her life though she didn’t know if she had a future with him. On one hand she had Ayaan with whom she still shared a complicated, unresolved relationship. On the other hand, she had Kabir, bright, sunny, and full of warmth and sincerity. She wondered if Kabir was going to be her future. Kabir did seem her shining future; he gave her a hope of a better tomorrow.
The world is strange; so full of ironies and contrasts. Ishani thought. The ones we consider our friends can betray us and the ones we consider our enemies can be our friends. Life is a fickle friend is thought. She looked at the crowded streets of Mumbai through the window of the car. She loved Mumbai, the hustle bustle of the city made her forget her own issues always.
Approximately 18 million people in the city; so many dreams, so many thoughts, and so many disguised intentions, she mused.
What else awaited her in life, only time would tell. Only time would decide who would remain by her side and who would leave. One thing was sure though, she was ready to face anything, head on.
THE END
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